Posted by: Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley in Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eye treatment has advanced more in the past five years than in the two decades before it. New FDA-approved medications, in-office procedures, and even a nasal spray have expanded what eye doctors can offer patients whose symptoms outlast artificial tears.
In most patients, inflammation on the surface of the eye or dysfunction in the oil-producing meibomian glands drives the condition, and lubricating drops alone cannot correct either one. The newest treatments target these underlying causes rather than masking symptoms.
At Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley, our specialized dry eye doctors use advanced diagnostics to identify what is actually causing your dry eye before recommending the best treatment for your eyes. Here are some of the newest options that have become available in the last couple of years!
1. Varenicline Nasal Spray
One of the more surprising additions to dry eye care actually does not go in the eyes. Varenicline nasal spray, sold under the brand name Tyrvaya, is sprayed into each nostril twice a day. It works by activating a nerve pathway inside the nose that signals the lacrimal glands to produce natural tears, complete with the water, oil, and mucus components that make real tears more effective than anything from a bottle. It can be a great option for patients who have trouble instilling eye drops or who wear contact lenses during the day. Many people notice improvement within a few weeks of consistent use.
2. Water-Free Drops That Slow Tear Evaporation
For decades, nearly every dry eye drop tried to add moisture, but Miebo, approved by the FDA in 2023, contains no water at all. The drop is made of perfluorohexyloctane. The substance spreads across the surface of the eye to form a thin layer that slows tear evaporation. Since the most common form of chronic dry eye is evaporative, some people’s eyes may produce enough tears, but those tears disappear too quickly due to a weak oil layer.
Miebo is the first FDA-approved eye drop that directly targets tear evaporation, and it is typically used four times a day.
3. A Faster Acting Cyclosporine Drop
Cyclosporine drops have been a primary option for dry eye treatment since Restasis arrived more than twenty years ago. They calm the inflammation that suppresses tear production, but older formulations often took three to six months to deliver noticeable relief, and many patients gave up before reaching that point.
Vevye, a newer cyclosporine formulation approved in 2023, dissolves the medication in a different delivery vehicle that helps it penetrate the ocular surface more efficiently. Patients can notice improvement in as little as two to four weeks, with less of the stinging that made earlier versions hard to tolerate.
4. A Targeted Treatment for Demodex Blepharitis
Some patients treat their dry eye for years without realizing a different condition is fueling it.
Demodex mites are microscopic organisms that live in the eyelash follicles of many adults. In some people, they multiply enough to cause Demodex blepharitis, a condition marked by crusty debris at the lash base, red and itchy eyelids, and persistent irritation that looks and feels like dry eye.
Xdemvy, the first FDA-approved drop for this condition, targets the mites directly over a six-week course. Clearing the infestation reduces eyelid inflammation and helps protect the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye that suffers most when the tear film breaks down.
With this many options available, the most important thing to determine is which one matches the cause of your dry eye. That is why treatment starts with a thorough evaluation, including tear testing and a close examination of your eyelids and glands during a comprehensive eye exam.
Getting dry eye under control also affects more than just daily comfort. Patients with unmanaged dry eye may be told to wait on LASIK until their symptoms are stable, so effective treatment can open the door to laser vision correction for people who were previously turned away.
As the oldest established multispecialty ophthalmology group in the San Fernando Valley, OAV brings decades of experience to chronic dry eye care.
Ready to get lasting relief from chronic dry eye? Schedule an appointment at Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley in Encino, CA.
Patients Also Read
